&w=64&q=75)
The 8th edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference (KGC) will take place on April 9th and 10th, 2025, at Makerere University in Kampala.
Organised by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), the Embassy of France in Uganda, Makerere University, and Alliance Française Kampala, the event will continue to provide a high-level platform for interactive dialogue on contemporary geopolitical issues.
Key Topics and Panel Discussions
This year’s conference promises to be another exciting gathering, with discussions on global, regional, and African affairs, as well as cultural activities designed to enhance the experience.
This Thursday, March 13, 2025, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by the organising partners officially launching the event and unveiling some of the key topics that will dominate discussions.
This year, two major topics have been selected for in-depth discussion.
Nils Wörmer, Director of KAS’s Regional Programme Security Dialogue for East Africa, said one of the panel discussions will focus on the ongoing push for Africa’s permanent representation at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Africa’s exclusion from the UNSC, despite the continent accounting for over 70% of the council’s resolutions, remains a critical issue.
The panel, he said, will evaluate the practicality of Africa gaining a permanent seat and veto power, a subject that has gained significant momentum in recent years.
The second panel will focus on the future of peacekeeping in Africa, exploring the challenges and successes of peacekeeping missions across the continent, with case studies from Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Chad.
Read: EAC-SADC army chiefs directed to implement DRC ceasefire plan
French Ambassador to Uganda, Xavier Sticker, introduced other topics, including the significance of ocean access for landlocked countries like Uganda.
Despite Uganda’s geographic location, the discussion will explore the strategic importance of ports in Mombasa and Dar es Salaam for Uganda’s imports and exports, as well as the potential security threats posed by conflicts in the Red Sea.
Additionally, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on misinformation, democracy, and governance will be another crucial point of debate.
Cultural and Academic Contributions
Alongside the academic discussions, the conference will also feature a variety of cultural events organised by Alliance Française.
Eric Touze, the Director of Alliance Française Kampala, spoke about the exciting lineup of music, dance, and art performances, adding a unique cultural dimension to the event.
Professor Buyinza Mukadasi, Acting First Deputy Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, expressed enthusiasm about topics such as sustainable peace in the DRC and the future of US-Africa relations under the Biden administration.
Mukadasi noted the growth of the conference, adding that the increasing diversity of perspectives and the depth of the discussions over the years has made it more relevant.